GK Question

Answer: President

Municipalities in Union Territories: (a) Article 243ZB (74th Amendment): Provides that provisions relating to Municipalities shall apply to Union Territories with modifications as the President may by public notification specify, (b) Rationale: (i) UT diversity: UTs have varied administrative structures (some with Legislature, some without); flexibility needed for appropriate local governance, (ii) Presidential authority: President can tailor Municipal provisions to UT-specific needs, administrative arrangements, (c) Applications: (i) UTs with Legislature: Delhi, Puducherry have Municipalities similar to States, with State-like powers, (ii) UTs without Legislature: Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep have modified Municipal structures under Central administration, (iii) Notification process: President issues notifications specifying which Municipal provisions apply, with what modifications, to each UT, (d) Challenges: (i) Consistency: Ensuring Municipal governance in UTs aligns with constitutional principles while respecting UT-specific arrangements, (ii) Accountability: Ensuring UT Municipalities accountable to local population despite Central administration, (iii) Capacity: UT administrations need resources, expertise to support Municipal governance, (e) Illustrates adaptive federalism: Article 243ZB provides flexibility for Municipal governance in UTs; Presidential modifications enable appropriate local governance structures while maintaining constitutional principles.